this and that

I had my second Pfizer vaccination yesterday and had been warned that there might be some adverse side effects. But, apart from feeling flat and tired last night (which may have had nothing to do with the jab at all), I’m 100% this morning. A surprising number of people I know (and know well) are opting not to have the vaccine. I’m not going to judge them but based on what I’ve read I believe that it’s the most sensible thing to do under the circumstances, and I wish they would change their minds.

In the Western Cape province of South Africa, the provincial administration (under the Democratic Alliance, i.e. the official opposition party) has begun rolling out vaccination programes for homeless people, many of whom do not have ID documents or birth certificates. The pilot session was in Cape Town two weeks ago, and was very efficiently managed. This is really really great news! *

On Saturday Loraine has invited Vicki and me for a get-together at her home in Durbanville to drink a toast to our mutual friend Shona, who died on 25 June. Loraine and her husband Raymond arranged for Shona’s beloved dog, Cayley, to be flown from Port Alfred to Cape Town so they can adopt her. Cayley is now firmly entrenched as part of the family, which makes us all very happy. Loraine has long covid (well over 15 months now) and is tired most of the time. She sent us this gorgeous pic of Cayley giving her a get-well kiss.

All I know about Saturday is that (a) Raymond has been instructed to cook prawns; (b) there will be wine and whiskey; and (c) Vicki and I will have the use of the two guest bedrooms so we will be taking our pjs. The only thing missing will be Shona.

I’m not sure what possessed me at the time but I’ve booked to take part in an evening market at the Brass Bell in Kalk Bay next Wednesday. I’m a bit over lugging tables and chairs and boxes of stock around, and am really hoping that they provide the basics. I’m going to keep it simple – just my fabric necklaces and boot accessories. Karen and I did a recce at the beginning of August, which ended with whiskey and coffee (not respectively). It’s a stunning venue, as you can see, and attracts a great mix of people. I think most of them are under 25 (for the market, at least) so I’d better leave my walking stick at home.

If it’s a flop for me money-wise, at least I’ll have made some new contacts and also get to make sure the old pub has remained un-revamped. That’s important, to keep some things as they are. Especially pubs, right?

• Molly, Rolinda, Freedom and Dubs all gave their permission to be photographed.

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loving Edward, home and work …

I thought it was only dogs who liked to dig holes in gardens and uproot plants. Apparently, Edward is dog-like in that way. I have a beautiful peperomia in a pot on the dining room table. It has just been mauled to near death and there is soil everywhere. I shouted at the little villain and took him outside to the Naughty Corner, where he proceeded to continue with important excavation work….

Maybe he’s digging for gold or diamonds? It’s hard to be cross for long with a pet (or a person) you love, isn’t it?

In other news, some felicitous arrangements have been made and I am delighted to say that I will be keeping my home. Not only have I grown fond of it, funny old house that it is, it is also my work space. I am so very lucky to have this much room for work and equipment, a sweet garden, lovely neighbours, proximity to everywhere important, and all the other good things that have come my way.

I will be trading at the Made in the Cape artisan market in Cavendish Square from this Thursday for four days (yay!), and have lots of half-completed cushions and bedspreads to attend to today. No more procrastination!! The sewing machine will be put through its paces shortly and work may have to continue well into the evening…

And in other other news, I had a lovely order last week for my screenprinted pillow cases from a gorgeous shop in Kalk Bay called Casa Boho. It’s one of those shops where it’s advisable to shred your credit card before entering, unless of course you are simply very rich and can have everything you want. Not only was I thrilled to get the order at all, what was also heartening was that my invoice was settled in full within 24 hours. I know from experience that small producers like me often have to battle to get paid, it’s a risky business sometimes. This efficiency was such a morale booster! Big thanks to the wonderful manager there, Mymoena, and her son Tauriq. xxx

 

another Kalk Bay Sunday

As one so often finds on a beautiful Sunday in autumn, a trip to the hardware store is essential. We usually go to Builders Warehouse in Tokai, which is so huge that we always find what we need and then some but, at the same time, we can’t take more than thirty minutes of the mega-store atmosphere and thousands of small children.
So we carried on down the coast to Kalk Bay.
The sea was an incredible, intense blue, and this chap seemed happy to be out on it. 

A little market had been set up next to the station, with a few very small nods to Queen Elizabeth II’s long service award.

Coffee and cheesecake was served right next to the line, and if it wasn’t a Sunday one would presumably have to put up with an earth-shattering roar every 15 to 20 minutes as a train thundered past.

It’s always useful to come across other people’s ideas, especially if you would be unlikely to ever dream them up yourself. And also especially if they are really stupid because then you can avoid similar idiocy. Like using old handbags as planters.

Leaving the market, I heard Mystic Rose across the road calling me. It’s one of my favourite shops and I was obviously meant to be there today because the magic 4-letter word was up.

After that, we carried on a bit further south to Glencairn Heights because my mother had phoned me on the way to say that there had been an attempted break-in at her holiday house up on the hill. I didn’t have any keys with me but Rob leapt determinedly over the wall and checked things out. He found a large rock on the deck which had most likely been thrown at the glass doors, as the glass was cracked. No doubt that was when the alarm went off, to the great joy of the neighbours, probably at about 4.00am. Nothing else to report, no actual entry. Always a relief.

Turn left, it’s time to go home.

To be continued…